Chatter Fix for TC-45D

JohnT · Aug 8, 2001

The chattering of the shroud that protects the front wheel drive shaft is starting to get on my nerves! In the past I would lube the front casing/bearing, at the point where the shroud and shaft terminated, but that doesn't seem to help. Since the shroud free wheels I'm believe that what's causing the chatter, therefore I'm thinking of tying it off with a couple of zip ties to prevent it from free wheeling and chattering. Doesn't do it all the time, but it is a pain to have to stop what your doing to loose the chattering. Any other thoughts or solutions?

Lastly, has anyone figured out when that bearing/casing receives enough grease? Mine appear to be a black hole and sucks up all the gease I throw at it?

John T.

Anonymous Poster · Aug 10, 2001

John,
I don't have the problem on my 45d, the only chattering I have is from the hydraulic lines that goes to the filter. I'll take a look at my tractor and see if it has something holding the shaft in place.

Not sure what grease fitting your refering to. Is it the one that is on the front side of the axle? Dead center on the front axle?

dieselpwr · Aug 10, 2001

JohnT
Do you have supersteer? I don't & the cover for the front drive shaft on mine is stationary. If it were moving I would be worried.

Troy

DVerbarg · Aug 10, 2001

John T,

Are you refering to the drive shaft from the rear of the tractor to the front? If so, that shroud should not "free wheel" on my unit (as I recall). This shroud has a clamp at each end that should keep it from rattling. Mine did work loose after 60 hours or so and had to tighten it down as it started rattling.

Never filled it with grease, but just give the zerks a few shots each time.

DaveV

Anonymous Poster · Aug 11, 2001

John I looked at mine and like Dave mentioned.. close to the transmission there's a clamp about 4 inches long with 2 bolts. It looks like this clamp is the only thing holding the shaft cover in place.

djradz · Aug 13, 2001

John, my 40D doesn't make any chattering and the cover is free to turn only a little until the clamp near the end hits the transmission housing. My cover is pretty stiff to rotate and certainly wouldn't rattle. Seems like a seal or something else close-fitting is applying in lot of friction. If your's is loose to rattle, there may be something missing or broke. I too wonder about where all the grease goes when you pump it into the fitting nearest the front of the cover. I have seen a little come out in the joint to the front of the front axle housing, but it doesn't seem to account for all I can pump in. One consideration: Keep this point well greased! My old 1720 (same design for the most part as the 35-45 series) developed a noice I have to refer to as a growl or chatter when put into reverse under any load, from not greasing this point enough. Dealer said is was pretty common and more frequent lub-ing seemed to cure it. Even this however, was not the cover rattling but more of a noise that resonated throughout the transmission.

JohnT · Aug 14, 2001

Nope, the grease fitting I'm refering to is on the back side of the front axle and just ahead of the point where the drive shaft enters.

JohnT · Aug 14, 2001

Troy, I don't have Super Steer. The cover (shroud) for my front drive shaft moves easily and always has. Best as I can tell there is nothing preventing it from moving. However it is limited from rotating 360 degrees, because of the flanges on the rear portion. Spent a long time under my tractor staring at it and cannot see anyway of making an adjustment to prevent movement - short of decreasing the span between transmisson and front axle. That would be a BIG job!

JohnT · Aug 14, 2001

Dave, yup... you got the picture. I know exactly what your talking about, but I didn't pick up on it being some sort of clamp. I even took notice of the bolts on each side. I'll have a look see again.

I too grease that fitting regularly. That whole assembly would be big bucks to repair if not properly maintained.

P.S.

If that's all there is to my problem I'll be a real happy guy! I wasn't looking forward to shortening my tractor so to stop the clatter.

Thanks for the reply.

JohnT · Aug 14, 2001

DJ, sounds identical to my setup, except mine rattles after long periods of running the tractor. A couple of the guys responded and tell me that tightening that clamp (by me) is what's needed. I give it a try and let you good folks know the outcome.

Thanks